More than 1.5 million Muslims have begun gathering at Mount Arafat, marking the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage, amid soaring temperatures.
Clad in white Ihram garments, the pilgrims departed from Mina—the world’s largest tent city—either by bus or on foot, heading toward Arafat, where they will also spend the night in tents.
اضافة اعلان
Saudi authorities have installed giant misting fans to spray cooling water along a ten-kilometer walkway connecting Arafat with the areas of Muzdalifah and Mina.
"I am so happy that God chose and selected me to perform Hajj at His House," said Sawsan Al-Gharbawi, a 51-year-old Egyptian performing Hajj for the first time, before breaking into tears.
Her companion, Nabia Ismail, 53, expressed immense joy, saying, "I have been dreaming of Hajj my entire life. Now my dream has come true."
This year's Hajj rituals feature the participation of pilgrims from all across the Islamic world.
Saudi authorities are keen to keep regional tensions away from the atmosphere of Hajj, which stands as one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Despite the volatile situation in the Middle East, Saudi officials noted over the weekend that the number of international pilgrims arriving this year has exceeded the figures recorded in 2025. Saudi authorities confirmed their full readiness to accommodate these numbers.
A video clip published by the Saudi Ministry of Defense on the X platform showed advanced air defense batteries deployed on the outskirts of Mecca. The video was accompanied by the following text: "The Air Defense Forces are tasked with protecting the airspace over the holy sites, dealing with all aerial threats to ensure the security and peace of mind of the guests of God."
- AFP
